A Mountain Sandwich

So, even though I once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, I had not yet seen it on this trip (well, a silhouette of it, but nothing to get excited about).  Until yesterday morning... it was an unusually hot, bright morning.  In fact, when I walked into the kitchen for breakfast I started to become paranoid that I had slept in and it was 10 am.  As I walked down the little path to school, through the field and beside the creek, I saw my coworker Kate, waiting for me at the school building.

 "Oh, Gabby... could I just borrow you for a moment?  I just need a hand with something." she says, nonchalantly. 

I semi-reluctantly agreed, silently wondering what I could help her with when my arms were full with books, my laptop, water bottle, purse, etc. We walked up toward the soccer field and the assembly hall and I finally asked "What did you need help with?".  She didn't respond for a few seconds and kept walking until she pointed up and said "This." with a huge grin on her face.

There it was.  Jutting up, huge and magnificent behind the trees and buildings, towering over the kids playing volleyball.  I didn't realize it would look so big from here.  Usually it is covered in clouds, but it was splendid.  It sent shivers down my spine!

I immediately texted Brent to come with the camera, and after we snapped a couple of photos, we turned around and looked the other way.  There was Mount Meru towering equally magnificently on the other side of us.  We sat in awe, nestled between these two spectacular giants like big protecting Mamas on either side of us.  I think we were both overcome with a feeling of peace and gratitude for where we are.  "Rough life," said Brent. "I knew it was going to be hard in Africa, but I never knew it would be THIS hard."

I can't imagine a more perfect place to live... right in the middle of a mountain sandwich.